Ever feel like your usual supermarket trips are getting a bit too predictable?
That’s when I head to Kaldi, where I love because I can find all the unique items that aren’t available in regular stores. Not only does Kaldi offer an array of imported goods, but it also stocks Japanese products that you don’t often see in everyday supermarkets.
Kaldi’s selection includes everything from rare Japanese snacks to specialty sauces and seasonings, making it a treasure trove for discovering new flavors. Next time you’re looking to mix things up, why not explore Kaldi and find your new favorite Japanese treat?
Table of Contents:
What is Kaldi?
Kaldi sells a variety of coffee beans and imported foods.
By the register, you’ll find an array of coffee beans. These beans are sourced by staff from various countries around the world and are sold in both straight and blended varieties. With over 30 different types available, from standard options to seasonal limited editions, you can enjoy a wide range of coffee experiences.
Kaldi is also well-known for offering coffee samples at the store entrance. The staff serves freshly brewed hot coffee in small paper cups. Of course, the coffee you’re tasting is available for purchase, so you can start shopping after sampling it.
Wine and Other Beverages at Kaldi
At KALDI Coffee Farm, the wine selection is as diverse as its globally inspired offerings. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, you’ll find a bottle to suit any occasion. Ranging from affordable options under JPY1,000 to premium selections over JPY3,000, each wine is carefully selected to deliver exceptional quality and value. Explore hidden gems from renowned wine regions across the globe and pair them with KALDI’s selection of gourmet treats for a perfect culinary experience.
For wine beginners, it’s recommended to pick a bottle with a package design you like.
As someone not particularly knowledgeable about wine, I usually buy the RED WOOD Chardonnay. It’s the number one popular wine at Kaldi, available in both red and white varieties. Even for a wine beginner like me, it’s very drinkable.
- RED WOOD
- CALIFORNIA
- White/Medium-Dry, Red/Medium-Bodied
- ¥880 (including tax)
Kaldi also sells sake. The bottle featuring a cute cat illustration is a winter sake. They also carry seasonal limited edition products.
Besides sake, there are other uniquely Japanese products such as bottled amazake and acai-flavored drinking vinegar, which are known for their health benefits. Amazake is a traditional drink that is especially warming when served hot in winter, and acai-flavored drinking vinegar is popular among those who are health-conscious.
Fascinating Tidbits About Japanese Sake
Sake, or Japanese rice wine, is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made primarily from rice and water, using koji mold for fermentation. It features a harmonious balance of five flavors: sweetness, acidity, umami (savory), bitterness, and astringency, with its taste varying based on the brand and brewing methods.
Here are the main types of sake:
- Junmai-shu: Pure sake made with only rice and water, offering the natural flavor of rice.
- Ginjo-shu: Brewed with highly polished rice and at lower temperatures, resulting in a fruity and aromatic drink.
- Daiginjo-shu: A premium type of sake made with even more finely polished rice, providing a luxurious experience.
- Honjozo-shu: Includes a small amount of brewing alcohol for a lighter and crisp taste.
Sake can be enjoyed in various ways:
- Chilled (reishu): Perfect for appreciating its refined flavors.
- Room temperature (jyoon): Retains a well-balanced taste.
- Warm (atsukan): Enhances richness and depth, especially in colder seasons.
Pairing sake with food, particularly Japanese cuisine, brings out the best in both.
Thai Food Area and Spices at Kaldi
In the Thai food area, you’ll find Roi Thai Green Curry Soup, which I buy from time to time. It’s said to be the number one popular item due to its refreshing spiciness. I add coconut milk to this curry and include ingredients like eggplant, chicken, shimeji mushrooms, and tomatoes to make a green curry hot pot. I enjoy adapting Thai cuisine into a Japanese hot pot style.
Kaldi also offers a variety of spices. One popular product is “Outdoor Spice Horinishi,” a versatile seasoning that became very popular for camping and barbecues. This all-purpose spice pairs well with any ingredient, making it a handy seasoning not only for outdoor use but also for home cooking.
Jam, Paste, and Snack Shelf at Kaldi
This shelf features a variety of jams and pastes. Notably, it includes pastes that have recently gained popularity in Japan, like curry bread and melon bread pastes. By spreading melon bread paste on your usual toast and toasting it, you can easily transform it into melon bread! You can enjoy the crunchy texture reminiscent of melon bread. Similarly, the curry bread version, when spread and toasted, turns into crispy curry bread. The convenience is fantastic.
Kaldi offers a wide variety of unique and delicious snacks from around the world!
There are many products with stylish packaging. I was intrigued and purchased dried natto. I bought wasabi flavor and lightly salted flavor. Natto, a traditional Japanese food, has been made easy to eat. The product is made from 100% domestically grown soybeans.
The taste of natto remains slightly, but even as someone who doesn’t like natto, I could eat it. The crispy texture and the umami of natto combined well with the refreshing spiciness of wasabi. It seems like a flavor that would go well with sake.
Hot Pot Section
As it’s winter, there’s also a corner dedicated to hot pot bases. The variety is so extensive that it’s hard to choose. They offer a range of flavors and types, including yuzu hot pot, salt lemon hot pot soup, seaweed hot pot soup, oyster miso hot pot soup, clam salt hot pot soup, chicken paitan hot pot soup, and tom yum kung hot pot. There’s a wide array of options, making it perfect for gifting as well.
KALDI offers a wide variety of unique items not only from abroad but also from local areas in Japan. It’s the perfect place to find souvenirs, so be sure to check it out. You’re bound to discover something new!
